Epilogue

Charlie

Getting used to living in Volterra was quite challenging, I didn't know my way around and I wasn't sure what to expect of the guard waiting for the arrival of their new leaders. Carlisle and I had discussed our first actions with Felix by phone and I could see what Bella had seen in him. He was astute and forthright and would be valuable, at least to me. He did warn me that Edward was already starting to act as if he were on the ruling council and would need to be put in his place as quickly as possible before he had time to cause problems with the remaining guard. Once in the air I tackled Carlisle about this,

"Are we going to have a problem with divided loyalties Carlisle? Because I can tell you now that neither Felix nor I will entertain any thought of Edward joining us."

"No Charlie, I am only too aware of that and I assure you I will support you in telling Edward exactly where he stands."

"Good. Felix mentioned the wives, Caius and Aro's. Do you have any thoughts on how to approach them? He doesn't seem to think they will pose a problem but I'm not sure I understand his thinking, after all it is their mates we have destroyed."

"Charlie you need to understand something. Both Athenadora and Sulpicia have been virtual prisoners in Volterra for centuries, kept artificially happy by Corin's gift and loyal by Chelsea's. I think they may well be happy to finally get their freedom, to explore a world that will be new to them."

"I see, well I hope you are right, there's been more than enough killing as far as I'm concerned and as long as they don't constitute a threat to us then I'm happy for them to have their freedom. Is there any chance of them being used as figureheads by other power-hungry groups?"

"No, besides Aro was universally hated and despised so no one would be crazy enough to put up his wife as candidate for a new leadership. You see the vampire world in general weren't privy to the workings of the Volturi, only their policing duties."

Carlisle

Charlie was busy thinking ahead and everything he said made perfect sense but there was one thing we hadn't addressed yet,

"There is one big problem still to be addressed Charlie."

"Yeah, you mean the guard don't you? We killed off most of the fighters which were also the Volturi Police Force and as soon as that becomes known any dissidents will use the opportunity to start trouble. Trouble we can't afford."

"So you did see that. Felix is good and he has a fearsome reputation but he is only one man and very few of the guard were left behind in Volterra. We need to fill the void quickly."

"What about the Fraternidad? Do you think they would be willing to help in the short term? They are all seasoned fighters who can look after themselves."

"We could ask but it means going through Darius I'm afraid."

"Just who is this Darius everyone speaks of in hushed times?"

"He's what you might call an enabler. He can contact anyone and supply anything...at a price."

"And you're afraid what his price might be? But we already asked him to join the Volturi and he refused so just what is it you think he might ask for that would be so terrible for us?"

"I have no idea but he never fails to find something he wants."

"Well I guess we just have to chance it, after all we can always say no."

Charlie

As soon as we arrived in Volterra we called a meeting of the remaining guard, including Edward who was most upset at not having a seat on the ruling council and I wondered just how long it would be before he started causing trouble. We explained exactly what had happened and found the remaining guard pretty happy to stay on in their former capacities under the new regime. Once they had disappeared, taking a complaining Edward with them, the three of us discussed the idea of the Fraternidad. Felix seemed to think it was a good idea despite Carlisle's concerns and agreed to speak to Darius on our behalf. Carlisle had been very keen to act as go between which made Felix and I uneasy, I felt he was trying to hide or avoid something, perhaps he knew what Darius was going to ask as his price for helping us.

Felix

Charlie had no idea why Carlisle was so eager to keep Darius if not out of things at least under his control but I did. I had been in the Volturi almost as long as it had existed and there were very few things that were a secret from me. I spent a lot of time in the archives unknown to many who thought I was merely muscle. Marcus had known how keen my research skills were and often had me look for information in the dusty library. Carlisle was afraid of two things, that Charlie would discover Carlisle had been a covert member of the Volturi at one time, the papers were well buried but they existed and Darius might just ask for access to the archives, he loved knowledge recognising it for the power it contained. The other thing he was scared of was Darius asking for Edward as his price, Edward read minds and was therefore a source of great knowledge. Carlisle knew that Charlie and I would probably see this as an answer to our problem. Edward was already trying to stir up discontent not even realising how dangerous that was with the new council still untried and untested.

When I spoke to Darius he was willing to help and not coy in naming his price,

"You get the Fraternidad and I get open access to the Volturi archives...plus...if they agree to help a bonus, Edward Cullens help for as long as I want and need it."

"You already know they will help or you wouldn't be naming your bonus Darius, don't play games with me, I'm too old for that."

"Too knowledgeable you mean. You know Felix, I once named you as my price for helping the Volturi and its the only time I was ever turned down. Even the brothers knew how valuable you were to the Volturi. I could have asked for you today."

"You could, but the answer would have been the same."

"I know, that's why I went for my second choice. Is Carlisle wetting himself yet?"

"Not yet but he will when he hears your price."

"Well let him. I know all about Carlisle's shady past, before he became the model of virtue he now is. I have traced his path to the man who stands before us now and it wasn't always so pretty but I wouldn't use it against him, the threat is much more effective, don't you agree? Will you tell Charlie?"

"Oh I think so, he deserves to know and I don't like the thought of starting a new ruling body with secrets, it's not a good idea. I've seen what it can lead to."

"Very wise Felix. So we have a deal?"

"Provisionally, I will check with the others and get back to you soon."

"I look forward to our next conversation. By the way, if you have Edward shipped back on the plane you use to ferry the Fraternidad in I'll have him picked up at the other end."

"You've got it all planned out don't you?"

"Of course, it's what I do Felix, remember that."

Charlie

When Felix told me what was going on I had to smile, so Carlisle too had skeletons in his closet! I agreed to Darius terms and we sold it to Carlisle as the only way to build a strong guard quickly. Over the years we would replace them with guard of our own if they wished to leave but Felix thought they would be perfect and would probably stay on, after all,

"They will only be doing openly what they have been doing covertly for so long. Trying to keep our world safe and not at the expense of their integrity."

Carlisle was not happy and I knew he wasn't looking forward to saying goodbye to Edward or having to explain the situation to Esme when she arrived in Italy. Edward himself was incandescent with rage but there was nothing he could do, it was join Darius or become a fugitive from the Volturi. He knew we didn't trust him not to make trouble if let loose and I think he had ideas of persuading Darius to back him in a power struggle but he stood no chance. A war would be costly to all our race and information became deadly at such times. Darius valued peace too much to listen to Edward for long.

Felix

Once the deal was done and the Fraternidad in Volterra things calmed down very quickly. Carlisle relaxed as his history stayed in the past and soon became a worthy member of the council along with Esme who had amazingly enough been quite relieved that Edward was somewhere he would be watched and regulated. I think she saw his flaws as Carlisle had not. Jasper and Bella visited a few months later to find another striking difference in the citadel. The dank dark corridors were now bright and cheerful with lighting and carpets, the fountained courtyards were populated by more people and the general atmosphere was more relaxed without the faction infighting of the past. Things had changed for Charlie too. Athenadora had left Volterra to travel taking Corin with her, I think she was too addicted to the feeling of comfort and peace to do without her drug. Sulpicia however had stayed on...why? The first time I saw her with Charlie I knew there was chemistry between them and by the end of a month they were married. As a companion she was quiet and thoughtful but very intuitive and intelligent, in short ideal for him. Volterra, the Volturi and the vampire world were now at peace, with themselves, and the guardians.,

THE END

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